Developing a Child's Study Habits

Chances are by the time your child is four, he follows the nightly routine of brushing his teeth before he goes to bed. You taught him how to brush his teeth, stood by him telling him and showing him how to brush correctly, and told him why it is important to take care of his teeth. By the time he is ready to start school, your child understands that you expect him to brush his teeth, and he knows that you will periodically check on him while he is doing it to make sure that he is brushing, and brushing correctly. He developed the habit of brushing his teeth and, most likely, he will continue that habit the rest of his life.

The same principals apply for most any habit you want to teach your child, including his study habits. Start by being a good role model, letting him see you study and learn, teach him how to study, supply everything he needs and create a study-friendly environment, and then remind him periodically to study until he falls into a routine. Follow these guidelines to help develop your child's study habits:

• Schedule a specific time each day for study to create routine. If your child tells you that he doesn't have homework that day, insist that he study something else or read a book for the allotted time. The objective is to create a routine. Years later, when your child is in high school with difficult classes, he will not feel overwhelmed because he already knows that he will have time at home to study.
• Create an environment for learning. Choose a room in your home for schoolwork. A kitchen or dining room table provides a flat surface for dishes. A desk provides a place for your child to study. Make sure he has all of the supplies he might need for his schoolwork, and minimize distractions by turning off the TV and radio. Do not permit visitors or phone calls during study time.
• Be a good role model. Make a point to bring work home from the office or work on community or church paperwork. Allow your child to see you working and studying.

Organize. Are you organized? If your home is cluttered and you are constantly looking for something you've misplaced, or you're always rushing because you try to complete projects at the last minute, then your child will learn that it is okay to be unprepared at school, complete projects at the last minute, and misplace his books.

Make sure that you check your child's work and offer praise when appropriate, and insist on careful work. Do not allow your child to turn in sloppy work. The next time he does his homework, and since he knows that you will make him correct it, he will complete it neatly the first time.